Penne with Spinach Sauce

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Feel Good Food

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (445)

Cook Time:
12 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 12 min
Total:: 27 min

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Ingredients

1 pound whole wheat or multi grain penne
3 garlic cloves
2 ounces goat cheese
1 ounce reduced fat cream cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the penne and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes.

Mince the garlic in a food processor. Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and half of the spinach leaves. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set the cheese and spinach mixture aside.

Meanwhile, place the remaining spinach leaves in a large bowl.

Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Spoon the pasta atop the spinach leaves in the bowl. Scrape the cheese and spinach mixture over the pasta mixture and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the Parmesan over and serve.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Penne with Spinach Sauce
BETTY IOak Park, IL 02-02-2010
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Simple and Healthy
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I really liked this dish. It's so easy to make and is healthy without compromising on flavor. We will definitely make it... again. Read more
recipe Penne with Spinach Sauce
annette San Ysidro, CA 02-01-2010
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excellent
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I loved this dish, it was easy to prepare. The goat cheese takes this to the next level.. even the kids liked it. Thanks... Giada.Read more
recipe Penne with Spinach Sauce
Olga Wauconda, IL 01-26-2010
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My entire family even my 2year old loved it!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My husband is a picky eater and I usually can't get him to eat Al dente' pasta but this dish I was able to get my way. I... used wheat rotini and I used everything else by the book but I prepared some pesto genovese chicken breast grilled and placed on top of the pasta with the cheese on top of that. Really awesome! My 2 year old asked for seconds that really surprised me she normally doesn't eat that much.Read more
recipe Penne with Spinach Sauce
Kailee Sarasota, FL 01-20-2010
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So Yummy!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for my whole family... my mother, who detests spinach, LOVED it! I am a huge fan of goat cheese, it really amps... up the flavor. Adding a bit of the pasta water is essential, it really keeps it moist and helps to melt the sauce so it can coat all of the penne! I actually toasted my garlic first so that it had a nuttier flavor, and it paired wonderfully with the cheeses. Thanks Giada!Read more
recipe Penne with Spinach Sauce
Kelly Baxter, MN 01-14-2010
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Spinach Penne Pasta
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I thought this pasta was wonderful. I also served chicken alongside for my children who are picky eaters. The goat cheese... must add the spice! However, once it cools down it isn't nearly as spicy. What a great way to get my kids to eat spinach. It was an EXTREMELY EASY recipe with very little clean up!Read more
recipe Penne with Spinach Sauce
Cindy Valley Village, CA 01-09-2010
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Very Healthy and Light!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I made this dish just about an hour ago for my sister and I, and we both thought it was very good , I even had to leave too... the store really quickly after the pasta was cooked and it was not completely warm, and it still tasted pretty good. Read more